Volume 1, Chapter 7: The Ways of the World

Zhang Weimin returned to the factory where he worked. It was an old establishment, nearly fifty years old, primarily engaged in the machining and manufacturing of mechanical parts. Zhang had entered the factory as an apprentice at sixteen and had been working there for twenty years.

Zhang was introverted, reticent, and rarely interacted with others. While he had no enemies, he had no real friends either. Everyone in the factory knew him as an honest, dull man. Although he was meticulous in his work, his personality was considered highly unsuitable for the 1990s.

But now, the person inside Zhang Weimin’s body was Lin Hao. Compared to the original Zhang, he possessed a more flexible and forward-thinking mind, a keen insight into human nature, and a natural aptitude for socializing. Before heading to the factory, he had specifically stopped at a shop to buy several cartons of Hongtashan cigarettes.

Upon returning to the workshop, Zhang greeted everyone with enthusiasm and initiative, exuding confidence and poise. He even handed out a pack of cigarettes to every coworker.

"Hello everyone! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you all; I’ve really missed you!"

His appearance had caught the factory staff completely off guard. Old Zhang, who had been reduced to a vegetative state after being hit by a car, was suddenly standing there in the flesh. Given his reputation—having spent twenty years in the factory without forming a single friendship—not a single colleague or coworker had visited him in the hospital or at home since the accident. Consequently, seeing him back and generously handing out cigarettes left everyone stunned.

The workshop director, Hong Daniu, took a cigarette, his mouth agape with delight. "Old Zhang, weren't you hit by a car and left in a vegetative state? We all thought we’d never see you again."

Zhang replied with a cheerful chuckle, "Oh, I suppose I’m just lucky to be alive. Don’t go anywhere after work, everyone. I’m going out to grab some liquor and meat, and we’ll have a drink together."

"Well, well, well, has the sun risen in the west? I’ve known you for twenty years—we started as apprentices on the same day—and this is the first time I’ve ever had a cigarette from you," remarked a coworker who enjoyed teasing him.

"Sigh, I suppose this ordeal was a blessing in disguise. Getting run over squeezed out thirty years of stagnant water from my brain, and now I’ve finally woken up to life. A person should have a bit of human warmth. I was ignorant in the past, and I hope you can all forgive me!" Zhang concluded with a classic, chivalrous fist-and-palm salute.

Zhang’s words left everyone in the workshop completely bewildered. They wondered if this was truly the same man. Previously, you couldn’t get a peep out of him even if you kicked him three times; if you asked him a question, he would only grunt or mutter a word or two. What had happened to him today? His eloquence and demeanor felt even more distinguished than the factory director’s.

Just then, workshop director Hong Daniu interjected, "Old Zhang, why the change of heart today? You’re here, but your wife didn’t come, and neither did Zhou Changzheng... did they go off to handle some business somewhere?"

Zhang understood the implication; he was being needled about the affair between his wife, Liu Fangfang, and Zhou Changzheng. The old Zhang would have hidden away at the mere mention of such gossip. After all, his wife was involved with another man, and lacking the courage to confront it, he could only retreat and pretend not to know.

How cowardly, how pathetic! But today was different. Lin Hao lived inside this body, and he was no coward.

"Do you want to know why they didn't come today?"

Hong Daniu paused, taken aback by the response.

"It’s not just them; Liu Guobin didn't come either. You haven't seen Liu Guobin today, have you? And not only him, but his brother-in-law, Ma Dali, is also missing! Haha."

Hong Daniu stammered, "I really haven't seen them! It sounds like you know something?"

Zhang Weimin’s lips curled upward. "If you want to know what’s going on, don’t leave after work! I’ll tell you all about it then. Alright, get back to your work; I’m going to head over to the factory headquarters for a stroll."

Carrying his cigarettes, Zhang went to the factory office, touring every department. He greeted everyone he met and handed out more cigarettes, leaving the staff laughing and charmed. Finally, he wandered to the door of Vice Director Liu Xueqin’s office.

Liu Xueqin was a college graduate who had been at the factory for over a decade, rising from a technician to a vice director. In terms of knowledge, professional ability, and work ethic, he was superior to Liu Guobin. However, he had been suppressed by Liu Guobin for years, and the two maintained a superficial cordiality while harboring mutual resentment.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Zhang knocked gently on the door. "Director Liu, are you busy?"

Liu Xueqin, who was writing in a notebook, looked up and was also surprised to see Zhang. "Old Zhang? Have you recovered?"

"Indeed, Director Liu. As I said, I’m just lucky to be alive."

"Hey, Old Zhang, you can't just call me that. In this factory, Director Liu refers to Liu Guobin; I am the Vice Director. Please be careful in the future; it could lead to misunderstandings," Liu Xueqin said with a serious expression.

Zhang chuckled and placed a pack of cigarettes on Liu’s desk. "Who says the only 'Director Liu' is Liu Guobin? Perhaps in a few days, it will be Director Liu Xueqin. Director Liu, have a smoke."

Zhang’s flattery hit the mark; Liu Xueqin couldn't help but grin. "Haha, what happy occasion has brought you here to hand out Hongtashan? But you mustn't make such jokes. If the director hears this, my work will become even more difficult."

Zhang leaned in close to Liu and whispered, "Have you noticed that Liu Guobin didn't come to work today, and neither did Ma Dali?"

Liu Xueqin smiled faintly. "Old Zhang, whether Director Liu comes to work or not isn't something I, as his deputy, need to worry about. Perhaps he’s at the bureau for a meeting. As for Ma Dali, you know as well as I do that he’s always been lazy. Let’s talk business. What are you here for? Are you looking to return to work and move to an easier post?"

Zhang feigned mystery. "Liu Guobin isn't just absent today; he won't be here tomorrow, the day after, or ever again!"

Liu Xueqin frowned. "Hey, Old Zhang, you used to barely say three words to me in a year. Why are you coming here to spread rumors today? If you have something to say, speak up; if not, go home and rest!"

Zhang smiled. "It’s not just Liu Guobin; Ma Dali, Zhou Changzheng, and Liu Fangfang—none of them will ever be able to come back!"

Seeing Zhang’s nonchalant expression and his firm tone, Liu Xueqin felt he must know some inside information. "What do you mean by that?"

"Liu Guobin, Ma Dali, Zhou Changzheng, and Liu Fangfang have all been arrested by the police. They are all going to prison!"

Zhang Weimin tapped his own chest with a resounding thud. "I am the one who sent them there!"